Oliver & Bonacini Cafe Grill (Tasting Menu)

It was Andrew's @_aneb birthday dinner and he organize a tasting at Oliver & Banacini Cafe Grill (@Oliver_Bonacini) with Chef Markus Bestig @ChefBestig who was given free rein of the menu (^_^) It was a Birthday dinner but it look like a foodie event as well with all us food bloggers; Mary @citrusblack, Justine @foodigatorJ & Carmen @carmenhungry .

We were given a round table right by the kitchen door, so we were smelling all sort of deliciousness whole night long :) It's my first time at this location and i really like their decor and they have a rather big patio (should come back for brunch). Oh and remember parking is available for $2 after 5:30pm upon validation at their underground parking.

Freshly bake bread, hot and fluffy yummmm

Crispy Atlantic Cod Steamed Buns

~ nam prik vegetables & togarashi kewpie

I'm not sure why our dishes was so Asian influence given that we were all Asian (5 Chines + a Korean) and I find it very difficult to impress us with Asian food (>_<) 

The steam boa was obviously store bought, it was sort of hard and tasted exactly like the frozen ones you'll get at supermarket. The batter wasn't crispy enough and was sort of soggy :( The only good thing about this dish was the DF nori (dry seaweed) on the side.

Andrew bought 2 bottle of wine to share with us :)

 Hinterland Wine Company (@hinterlandwine) 2009 Vintage Rose sparkling wine

Grilled White Peach & Octopus Sashimi Salad

~ watermelon, edamame & wasabi

Love the combination of flavor here apart from the peach which didn't really fit in although delicious on it's own. And the octopus was cooked and not sashimi as per menu.

Jerk Chicken Pho

~ roasted leg, snow pea, shiitake mushrooms & wiked sauce

Instead of the regular pho rice noodle, it was freshly made pasta and the soup was overly salty and oily which didn't really go with the pasta... but the wiked sauce (hidden behind the bowl) was spicy and really wiked good, it was spicy yet it doesn't really linger and I want a bottle :)

Wild Blueberry & Basil French Martini Sorbet

Love blueberries, love basil and love booze  = ♥♥♥

Have been craving for this since last week....

Norman Hardie (@normhardie) Cuvee L Pinot Noir 2009

I have never really like Pinot Noir but since visiting their winery in PEC 2 months ago, I just can't help but felt on love and I'll have to make my way back to get another bottle of these :)

 ♥ Grilled Ontario Beef Ribeye ♥

~ garlic scapes, Jerusalem artichokes & Biff's crunchy mustard butter

OMG, this was cook perfectly and melt in your mouth good, just so perfect with the wine (heaven)

The steak itself was so flavorful that didn't really need the butter on top but love the slight sweetness of the artichokes puree at the bottom. 

I want one right now, wish it was on their regular menu so that I can go back and order it...

Taylor Farm Strawberries & Buffalo Milk Ricotta

~ aged balsamic & pecans

Love aged balsamic in my dessert but here somehow everything felt a bit flat... wish the strawberries was served colder.

Verdict :

I would love to have a Tasting Menu like this again 

but maybe minus the Asian influence dishes but the steak is a must =P

Thanks to the Birthday boy for inviting me and arranging such a great meal